Saying YES to Neighbors in Need

It's a scene that you could find almost anywhere on Long Island on a warm summer afternoon. Dozens of people strolling around a garage sale, examining items and chatting with neighbors.

But this wasn't your average garage sale on a suburban front lawn. This  sale was held behind a building where people are counseled for problems like drug addiction or domestic violence issues.

It fits in perfectly with what the YES community counseling center does. "It's another way we reach out to the community," said Jamie Bogenshutz, the group's executive director said of the sale. "We do this to raise money, but it also helps raise awareness and people get to see the agency.

The group has been giving help to those who need it since 1977.  YES, which originally stood for Youth Environmental Services, offers outpatient services for people with drug and alcohol problems. They counsel those who have family issues like domestic violence or divorce. They treat patients who suffer from anxiety, depression or have eating disorders. They also work with schools and civic groups and offer programs to help educate the public about treatment issues.

Although the garage sale isn't a big source of revenue for YES,  Bogenshutz says they've had customers come to them with problems over the years. 

"We'll chat with them a little bit, give them our pamphlet and try to set up a time for them to come in for counseling," she said.

Bogenshutz says she spends a lot of time handing out literature. And much of the organization's efforts are spent on outreach, particularly related to drug problems in the schools. 

"A lot of the kids who are coming to us are coming with addiction to prescription drugs," she said, adding that the age of those seeking treatment has been getting younger.

Although prescription drugs and heroin have been in the spotlight recently, Bogenshutz says that alcohol and marijuana addictions are still the most common problems in the area.

Another problem YES faces is getting young people to admit they have a drug problem or to come forward when there's an issue involving domestic violence in their home. That's another reason why outreach is so important, Bogenschutz said.

"Parents know us, they know our faces. We work with the school districts.  They know that they can depend on us."

While YES offers what Bogenshutz describes as "state of the art counseling," the organization is also adept at referring those in need to get services that go beyond the scope of what they do.  While YES charges fees for counseling, they accept insurance and patients pay on a sliding scale.  They will also provide some services free of charge.

The community gives back to YES too.  The garage sale was made possible by public donations of items. 

Many of those who came out to the sale also showed support for YES. 

"It's a great organization," said Debbie Piazzo "They're always there for everyone and Jamie's like a community mother."